Synonyms
Definition
The serial position effect refers to the finding that, on list-learning tasks, the probability of retrieving an item is dependent on the item’s position in the study list. That is, items are more likely to be retrieved if they were initially presented at the beginning (i.e., the primacy effect) or the end of the list (i.e., the recency effect), relative to items presented in the middle. For example, immediately after presentation of a nine-item word list, individuals with normal memory ability might recall about 70% of the first three words, 60% of the last three words, but only 40% of the middle three words. This effect is illustrated by the serial position curve (Fig. 1). In addition to accuracy of retrieval, the serial position effect is also reflected in speed of retrieval: response times are faster when recognizing items presented at the beginning or the end of a list relative to items presented in the middle of the list.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Readings
Gazzaniga, M. S., Ivry, R. B., & Mangun, G. R. (2002). Cognitive neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: Norton.
Tulving, E., & Craik, F. I. M. (Eds.). (2000). The Oxford handbook of memory. New York: Oxford University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this entry
Cite this entry
Troyer, A.K. (2011). Serial Position Effect. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_2232
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_2232
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-0-387-79947-6
Online ISBN: 978-0-387-79948-3
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science